I know that some of you who read my blog....

think that I am a bit of a radical. Some of you are probably wondering "where did he get that idea"? Well, it was probably because of some comments made by one of my readers which made me ask them if they thought I was a radical, to which they answered something to the effect of...."yes". Now you're wondering who I'm talking about, but I won't mention any names so you will just have to keep wondering (love you honey). Anyway, I say all that to say this; maybe after reading this blog you will understand why I am so passionate about this stuff.


I was waiting in a doctor's office last weekend when I reluctantly picked up a magazine to read. I say reluctantly because every time I pick up a magazine in a doctor's office I think of all the sick people that have probably handled the magazines. Anyway, It was a political magazine and caught my attention so I began to read. I ran accross an article concerning the United Nations "Convention on the Rights of the Child" which was ratified by the U.N. as international law in September of 1990. All but two countries have signed onto and ratified this law, which are the U.S.A. and Somalia. We have resisted this law for almost twenty years, but as we all know...."change" has come to our country! Senator Barbara Boxer, a democrat from California, wants to see the U.S. join the other U.N. member countries and ratify this piece of international law. She is pressuring the Obama administration....she thinks that it is just terrible that we are "standing with Somalia". Well, Senator Boxer, that would be bad, but something tells me that the U.S.A. isn't "standing with Somalia" and I think you know that! As for Mr. Obama, when asked if he would seek ratification of the UNCRC he said "It's important that the United States return to its position as a respected global leader and promoter of Human Rights. It's embarrassing to find ourselves in the company of Somalia, a lawless land. I will review this and other treaties and ensure that the United States resumes its global leadership in Human Rights."

So, you are probably asking "what are the basic premises behind the UNCRC"? Well, I'm glad that you asked! Though it is too broad to completely cover here, the four core principles are; devotion to the best interest of the child, the right to life, survival and developement, and respect for the views of the child. The UNCRC protects children's rights by setting standards in health care, education, legal, civil, and social services. Let's take a quick look at the principle "respect for the views of the child". This has far-reaching ramifications as to the legal steps that a child could take concerning their opinions on issues such as religion and punishment. Personally I think that if you are a good and loving parent, the chances of your child taking you to court because they don't want to go to church are slim at best, but the potential is disturbing. Now lets look at our constitution; it says in Article VI that "This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding". So, if we ratify this law, it will then be our law. Who will enforce this new U.S. law that has no origin in our country....an 18 member panel in Geneva....Switzerland! And I was worried about socialism....there are lawmakers wanting to hand over our sovereignty to the United Nations!

So, if you are or are planning to become a parent, please know that if the UNCRC is ratified by the United States of America, a panel of people in Switzerland, not elected by Americans, who aren't American citizens will help determine how you raise your children! My concerns don't stop at just this one potential U.N. law becoming U.S. law. Does the sovereign United States of America really want to go down the path of beginning to allowing our Constitution to be trumped by U.N. law! Something tells me that it won't stop with the UNCRC!